February 09, 2008

Neon in Philadelphia... The Science and the Art-- Presentation and Tour --Dr. Len Davidson, MIT 1973Owner of Davidson Neon, and The Philadelphia Neon Museum

Join us as Dr. Len Davidson (MIT 1973) highlights design, historic, and technical aspects of neon signs in an eye-catching slide presentation. He will discuss how he has collaborated with architects, designers and building owners to bring excitement to architectural space. He will point out some of the technical details of neon signs and show how these signs can be an expression of local history. Following the presentation the group will board a bus for a tour through South Philly and Center City to examine neon signs in their street context.

For Len, neon is a calling. In 1977, while teaching organizational sociology at University of Florida, Davidson opened an American Dream theme tavern, The Gamery, an amazing multi-media scene. Presiding over the lunacy of antique pinball machines, racing trains and costumed customers playing board games was the most mind-blowing feature: NEON. Len had picked through local neon graveyards and collected dozens of old signs that he mounted on the ceiling. The effect was mesmerizing. The Gamery beat teaching undergraduates, and Len's professor persona was left in the dust.

Davidson apprenticed with Jim Williams, an old-time sign man. "Neon is an absolute art," Williams preached in his southern drawl while rotating glass in the fires. Increasingly drawn to that art, Davidson scavenged Florida and New Orleans in search of neon relics and lore.

On returning to his native Philadelphia in 1979 (with '59 Chevy piled high with tubing), Davidson began to unearth his hometown's magical neon history--one that complemented the roadside neon version he had learned down South. View more of his works and lore on his Web site: www.davidsonneon.com.

February 21, 2008

Young Alum Happy Hour -- Fox and Hound

Join other MIT Young Alums for another Happy Hour -- at the Fox and Hound Pub & Grille in King of Prussia, PA, in the KOP Mall area.
For questions, please contact Gabriel Weinberg, e-mail: yegg@alum.mit.edu.